CHAPTER VI
IN WHICH DAVID HARKINS QUITS THIS LIFE AND TAKES HIS SECRET WITH HIM
News travels quickly in a small town. Before breakfast the following morning it was very generally reported that John Black had been robbed, and that he was going to issue a warrant for the arrest of David Harkins. The report shocked most of those who heard it. John Black was a hard man, and more than one of the citizens of Cleverly had felt the force of his iron hand.
He worked incessantly, and never spent a penny unless it was absolutely necessary. Such a man may be considered just; but he is bound to be unpopular. David Harkins, on the contrary, was well liked by all who knew him. He was on the best of terms with his neighbors, and always had time for a kind word to everyone he met—man, woman and child.
The people therefore were disposed to suspend judgment until they had heard both sides of the story. While David Harkins was at the table Horace Coke drove up, and asked to have a minute’s conversation. As soon as they were alone he said hastily:
“Have you heard the rumors?”
“I have,” responded Harkins, “and I consider them scandalous. I wonder where such malicious stories could originate?”
“That’s easily told,” replied the lawyer. “They come from no less a person than John Black.”
“How dare he say such things!” exclaimed Harkins with passion.
For answer the lawyer told him the details of his interview with the banker and the singular likeness between the banknotes that had been stolen and the money which had been used to pay off the note.
David Harkins listened in astonishment, and when Coke had concluded, said: